Fuel prices in Bulgaria have surged notably over the past month, rising between 3.4 and 4.2 percent, while food prices remain largely stable overall—but with dramatic regional disparities in retail costs.
The data, reported by BNT and the State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets, paints a complex picture of the country’s inflation dynamics. As of this week, the price of A-95 gasoline, the most commonly used fuel in the country, climbed to 2.44 leva per liter.
The increase was most recently observed on Tuesday, marking a steady rise over the month. Diesel prices have followed a similar trend, now standing at 2.46 leva per liter—up by 10 stotinki compared to early June.
The uptick in fuel prices is attributed to rising global oil prices and seasonal demand. Summer travel and tourism typically lead to increased fuel consumption, putting upward pressure on prices at the pump.
The continued rise has sparked concerns among motorists and logistics companies, who are bracing for higher operating costs. In contrast, wholesale food prices in Bulgaria have remained relatively unchanged over the past week, fluctuating by less than one percent, either up or down.
However, this general stability at the wholesale level is not reflected in consumer experiences at the retail level. A glaring discrepancy in food prices across Bulgarian cities has been documented, raising concerns about market fairness and access to affordable groceries.
One of the most striking examples is the cost of yellow cheese, labeled as “Vitosha.” In Sofia, consumers pay close to 29 leva per kilogram, whereas in Blagoevgrad the same product is available for just over 12 leva—a price gap of more than 140 percent.
Cow’s cheese exhibits a similar variation: it is sold for nearly 7 leva per kilogram in Dobrich but costs more than 19 leva in Silistra. Meat prices are also highly inconsistent. Frozen chicken in Veliko Tarnovo is priced at 6.60 leva per kilogram, while in Plovdiv it reaches 9 leva.
Minced meat, typically a blend of pork and beef, is cheapest in Dobrich and most expensive in Silistra, with the price effectively doubling between the two cities.
These disparities have prompted scrutiny from the National Revenue Agency (NRA), which earlier this week flagged unjustified retail price hikes in 25 cities. Veliko Tarnovo stood out as experiencing the most significant increases.
The agency has not ruled out potential investigations into pricing practices, especially in regions where costs appear disproportionately high without clear supply or transport justifications.
The uneven pricing landscape has reignited public debate about regulation and transparency in Bulgaria’s food and fuel markets.
While wholesale prices show signs of stability, the sharp contrast in retail costs highlights systemic inefficiencies and possibly exploitative practices in distribution and retail.
As inflationary pressures persist in key sectors, Bulgarian consumers continue to navigate a volatile market, with growing calls for better oversight and regional price standardization.